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Man held for trial for robbing couple

January 9, 2013

A former Alabama man will stand trial on charges he tried to rob a couple at gunpoint last summer.

Ronny Pyrell Johnson, 20, formerly of Jackson, Ala., was held for court on charges of robbery, simple assault and terroristic threats following a preliminary hearing Wednesday before District Judge David Mark in Washington County Central Court.

Johnson is accused of robbing William Franz and Jasmine Justice while they were in their vehicle in the 800 block of North Main Street in the Midland section of Chartiers Township.

Franz testified he and Justice drove to the area to buy some marijuana from Johnson. Justice and Johnson then got in a dispute over the drugs and money.

At one point, Johnson opened the driver’s side door, sat sideways on Franz’s lap and pointed a gun at his chest. Johnson got out of the car when Justice told him she was calling police, Franz stated.

Franz and Justice then drove from the scene and reported the incident to police.

Johnson wasn’t arrested for the robbery until last month when he was picked up by investigators who were searching for another man.